SHAH ALAM, Dec 4 — DAP has a stronger Malaysian spirit than MCA, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today as he noted that the former’s party song is in the national language.

In sharing his observations after attending former political foe DAP’s conference for the first time, the former prime minister highlighted DAP’s use of Bahasa Malaysia and the opposition party’s multiracial membership.

“Previously, each time MCA has an annual general assembly, I attend. The difference is DAP that is said to be a Chinese party sings their party song in the national language.

“In MCA, it is not sung in the national language,” the former prime minister told reporters at the DAP conference here.

Dr Mahathir went on to say he was “proud” that speeches by DAP national chairman Tan Kok Wai and secretary-general Lim Guan Eng were both delivered in Bahasa Malaysia, unlike MCA.

“Maybe DAP’s Malaysian spirit is stronger than MCA,” he said, to loud claps from party delegates who were also present at the press conference.

He noted that non-Chinese DAP members also had leadership positions in the party, citing the late Karpal Singh who had held the post of party national chairman as an example.

“This shows DAP is not a Chinese party, it is a multiracial party. And non-Chinese members also hold high-level positions, such as Karpal Singh who held a high position and could speak in the national language.

“This is an experience for me,” he said.